The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-22

RARE EXPERIMENTATION of The most
delightful entertainments ever given in
Barwell Hall, was that of the Kate Bens-
berg Opera Company last Monday evening
The GOLD LEAF will not attempt to speak
OF the performance or the performers in
the role of critic, for they are emineRtly
deserving of higher praise than we are Co.
pasle of paying them. Miss Bensberg, tie
prima donna, is an artist of exceptional
merit, p0SseSsinga remarkably sweet voice
and most charming stage demeanor.
She has pure, clear flexible soprano, full
volumed and sweet-toned, and the role as
sumed by her Monday evening as ives
PIMA" in Flowtow's beautiful operate
comedy, L'Ombra." afforded fine scope
Cor the display of her splendid vocal pow
ers as we'll semc very effective acting.
Ii is due to the other members of the
Company to say they were no less good in
their respective parts. Miss Louise EngeI,
the contralto, has very sweet and strong
voice, and acted her part with exquisite
grace and effect. Mr. Ed. knight, bosso, has
rich, deep-toned voice, as melodieus as it
is powerful and withal he is an actor of
fine parts as we'll. Mr.. Ross David's sne
tenor voice had been heard here before,
and he not only sustained but strengthened
the favorable impression already made.
Sig. Carlos A. Selrano, musical director.
is an artist in his line and his renditions
on the piano greatly heightened the effect
ivencss of the performance, and added
much to the enjoyment of the evening.
Altogether the Company is one of high
merit and deserving of much larger aud
fence than tkey had Monday night Fol-
lowing we publish a note which has been
handed tous- lis explanatory Of itself. Mr.
Henry is himself a YER; fine musician, and
is competent to speak on such matters.
having listened to many of the most ceie-
brated singers of the day.
HENDERSON, y. G., Dec. 2e, 1885,
Samuel RHr.oeLt, Esq,
DEAR SIR Please let me tender you
my sincere thanks for ysur part In securing
! such an exceedingly pleasant enter tain
ment as was that of last evening, given
by the Densberg Opera Company. have
read the press criticisms on Miss Bensberg's
voice and as flattering as they are. she far
surpassed all expected. and fully merits
all that has been said of her. Her voice Is
as clear as the tinklings of silver bells Oh
a frosty morning; as sweet as the most eX-
quiSiteiY modulated tones of the AeOlian
harp, when touched by the fingers of the
Wind God. Its weird tremola, its pensive
legato, its rich bird-like trills, its grand
imprisoned sweep from the lowest TO the
highest octave. and the rushing, ringing
brllliancy of its upper register, place her
at once in that galaxy of the. worlds
sweetest singers, where Patti and Nillson
are as yet the reigning and idoliZed Queens.
1t is principle of science that sound
never ceases, that on and on through the
ages, centuries, eternity, it continues to
echo and re-echo throughout space. 1t is n
beautiful thought then, that as the songs OF
human woe and suffering and tears go
sounding down the corridors of end less
time, rushing amid the sparkling stars,
with electric celebrity from flashing world
to glittering constellation, those songs OF
distress will be ever accompanied 10y grand
and sweetest choru, of Joy and gladneSs. lie
may be we'll with us that all is not sun
shine nor yet is it shadow, and may we not
fancy the wonder-stricken inhabitants OF
some far distant world listening thrilled
and entranced as that food of harm0Rey
passes by on the wings of the wind ? Such
q chorus is even now pervadng the world
Of sound, and in that chorus floating high
above those of unnumbered hosts are the
exquisiteiy soft and grandly powerful
remditionS Of Kate Bensherg, Prima Donna
Your Friend,
". Il. Henry.